Three “Last Mile” towns in Western Massachusetts are one step closer to reliable broadband internet.
Sandisfield, New Marlborough and Tolland are next on the Massachusetts Broadband Institute’s list for high-speed internet funding.
The state and the three towns will enter into a public-private deal with Frontier Communications. The towns will build, own and operate their own fiber networks, and pay $15.5 million to Frontier over 15 years as part of a basic operating subsidy. That’s in addition to the $35 monthly basic service cost residents will pay.
All told, the state’s contribution is expected to be $4.77 million, which is $1 million more than what was originally discussed.
